Edgar Baitzel died Sunday of cancer. He joined LA Opera in 2001 and became Chief Operating Officer in February 2006. Placido Domingo, the opera company's general director, says in a statement: "I say goodbye to my dear friend Edgar Baitzel with the deepest sadness but also with the most sincere gratitude for helping us raise the Company to the extraordinary level it enjoys today on the international scene. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife Christina and children Sarah, Philipp and Sophia, who will continue to remind us always of Edgar and his presence here."